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The hot topic of conversation at the Oakland Borough Council meeting on August 11th was, once again, code enforcement. The enforcement of codes is a complicated issue that plagues many municipalities for several reasons, one of which is cost. But in its efforts to clean up the Borough and make it a more desirable place for people to live, the Council unanimously voted to hire Roy Williams (the only applicant) to enforce several codes, not least of which is the recently passed rental ordinance. There are several troublesome rental properties in the Borough and the ordinance lays out how a landlord must care for a rental property, including an annual inspection checklist. The codes program will fund itself so that the average Joe, not-causing-any-ruckus-taxpayer will not be funding the enforcement of their neighbors' code violations.

In other news:

• The finance committee made the recommendation to begin CD investments using a portion of the Borough's Capital Reserve Funds. A 6-month CD will be opened with Edward Jones- $15,000 at a 2.65% interest rate with the plan of starting another in 3 months.
  
  
• The parks committee is collaborating with the community development committee to organize the annual Community Yard Sale event which has been rescheduled to Labor Day weekend. Additionally, security cameras are being purchased after new lighting has been installed at the park to make the area safer for its patrons.
  
  
• $100 is being donated to the Susquehanna Branch Library for the installation of the new permanent StoryWalk signs.

Several items were tabled due to last minute requests for more information before discussion.

The council will next meet on September 8 at 7:00pm at the Oakland Borough Building. All residents are encouraged to attend!

NORFOLK, VA – US Navy Capt. Matthew C. Riethmiller, the son of a New Milford, PA native, assumed the duties of Commanding Officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Mid-Atlantic (NAVFAC MIDLANT), July 22.

"My family and I are very happy to return to Hampton Roads … we love the area," Riethmiller said of the opportunity to serve as the commanding officer of the command. "NAVFAC MIDLANT is an amazing place full of highly competent professionals. I am very proud and excited for the opportunity to join the team."

Riethmiller, who has served in the Navy for 26 years, was commissioned in November of 1996 through the Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. He is an alumnus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio (1996 Bachelors in Civil Engineering) and Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia (2005 Masters in Environmental Engineering).

Riethmiller's operational tours include: Commanding Officer, US Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) FIVE; Operations Officer, NMCB ELEVEN; First Naval Construction Division Forward; Air Detachment Officer-In-Charge (OIC)/Charlie Company Commander, NMCB THREE; and Commander, Naval Construction Group ONE, Port Hueneme, California.

His shore assignments include: Assistant Public Works Officer (APWO), NAS Meridian, Mississippi; Assistant Resident OIC of Construction, Northern, Italy; Aide to Commander, First Naval Construction Division (1 NCD), Virginia Beach, Virginia; APWO, Norfolk Naval Station, Norfolk, Virginia; Energy Action Officer, Chief of Naval Operations, Shore Readiness Division (N46); Assistant Operations Officer and Integrated Product Team Blue Lead, NAVFAC Washington; Public Works Officer, Naval Base Coronado (NBC), Coronado, California; Operations Officer, NAVFAC EUCOM, AFRICOM and CENTCOM, Naples, Italy; and Executive Officer of NAVFAC Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, California.

He is a registered professional engineer in the state of North Carolina, a member of the Department of Defense Acquisition Professional Community, and a Seabee Combat Warfare qualified officer. Riethmiller's awards include: Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), Navy Commendation Medal (six awards, one with combat distinguishing device), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), Combat Action Ribbon, and most proudly, numerous unit awards.

NAVFAC MIDLANT provides facilities engineering, public works and environmental products and services across an area of responsibility that spans from South Carolina to Maine, and as far west as Indiana. As an integral member of the Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic team, MIDLANT provides leadership through the Regional Engineer organization to ensure the region's facilities and infrastructure are managed efficiently and effectively.

For additional information about NAVFAC MIDLANT on social media, follow our activities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/navfacmidatlantic and on Instagram @navfacmidatlantic.

The summer doldrums once again left the Mountain View School Board with little to do at its meeting on August 8th. They did, however, appoint a list of transportation contractors, and the rates they will be paid over the next school year. And it took them barely 20 minutes to do it.

The only administrator in attendance was Superintendent Michael Elia, refreshed from a recent vacation on the Beach, and even he had nothing to report. Board President Jason Richmond said that a prior executive session discussed the open position of Business Manager. Without someone in that position, a Treasurer's report was not available. The Board did, however, welcome Donna Kaslo, the newly appointed Coordinator of Payroll and Accounts Receivable.

Twenty bus contractors were appointed under a contract that will pay them 3 cents per mile more than last year. A long list of substitute drivers for buses, cars, and vans, and "parent drivers" was also approved. Activity bus drivers will be paid 29 cents more than last year, and the layover rate is boosted by $2. Shuttle bus rates will go up by $5 per day.

Among a few other things, the Board:

• Approved an agreement with the Carbondale Area School District to place a special needs student.
  
  
• Approved an agreement with MYCIL (the Northeast Pennsylvania Center for Independent Living) of Scranton that provides half-time opportunities for students exploring career opportunities.
  
  
• Approved a "Differentiated Supervision Plan" for the next school year; the plan, defined under the teachers' contract, describes the various options under which administrators observe and monitor teacher activities in the classroom.
  
  
• Approved a pair of field trips for special education students during the upcoming fall term.
  
  
• Approved handbooks for coaches, and for parents and students.
  

The Mountain View School Board will next meet in public session on Monday, August 22, 2022, just before school starts for the new year. Meetings begin at 7:00pm in Zick Boardroom in the Elementary School building.